Supervised, secure setting

Bill McGregor, administrator of Valley Vista Adult Home, was getting quite a few inquiries from members of the Highland community, where the facility has been located for the past 35 years.

Carol Montana

Bill McGregor, administrator of Valley Vista Adult Home, was getting quite a few inquiries from members of the Highland community, where the facility has been located for the past 35 years.

"As the population gets older, the health system is pushing more for home care. Not as many people are going into nursing homes," says McGregor. "If the person is home by themselves, they lack the socialization of other individuals ... and their family members are concerned about leaving them alone."

Valley Vista's answer to providing that socialization, safety and security is a new adult day- care program, available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Using the social model of the program, Valley Vista is "providing structured activities to meet physical and cognitive needs, as well as recreation, meals and monitoring of medications ...," says McGregor. The medical model, he adds, "usually has a nurse involved, doing dressing changes, medication management, blood-sugar readings, insulin shots and things that require skilled nursing."

The goal of the program is to "delay institutionalization by providing alternative care, enhancing self-esteem and encouraging socialization," while offering relief to family members and caregivers who need to work, handle personal business, or just need a break from the stresses of care giving.

Activities at Valley Vista's new program include what the administrator calls "brain games" — discussion groups, reminiscing, word searches, puzzles, and games in which "they have to think a lot." And there are even spelling bees.

"It's amazing how good some of these people are at spelling when they can't ordinarily carry on a normal conversation," says McGregor.

There's also a walking club on the facility's 11-acre rural setting, which is graced by a pond and gazebo, plus yoga, dance, a tai chi program, arts and crafts, clay modeling and cooking classes. And there's plenty of entertainment by groups such as the Golden Age Singers, Sweet Adelines, Girl Scouts and schoolchildren.

At present there are slots for 14 people, but McGregor says the program can be expanded.

Prospective clients have to be "cognitively aware," says McGregor. "They must be able to participate in activities, understand and follow instructions." Cost for the program is $50 for a half-day (any four-hour period), and the full day is $80. Both schedules include a hot breakfast and lunch. Medicaid recipients may be eligible for services at no cost through contract with a private program. Transportation is planned for non-Medicaid clients in the near future.

McGregor welcomes interested parties. "They should come visit. We'll ask about medications they're on, so we can see if they need the medical model. And we'll look at ambulation, do they use a wheelchair, a walker, or can they get around on their own "»"